Building Public Values through Cross-sector Collaboration: One Possibility of Creating Public Value

Abstract Compared with the increasing prevalence of public value literature, the importance of public values research is seriously underestimated. This essay attempts to shed lights on this topic. Using a case study, we want... [ view full abstract ]

Abstract

Compared with the increasing prevalence of public value literature, the importance of public values research is seriously underestimated. This essay attempts to shed lights on this topic. Using a case study, we want to explore in which ways the public values could be constructed through cross-sector networking. The research findings are threefold: (1) the network collaboration is essential for building public values, however, it is difficult to be maintained; (2) the network is underpinned by three logics- the institutionalised measurement logic, the informal interpersonal relationship and core agent logic, and the bureaucratic logic; (3) the performance of building public values can be evaluated by a continuous spectrum; within this spectrum raising awareness and facilitating actions are more challenging.